Studying Humor Seriously: The Potential of Humor in Political Participation

Arielle Elaine Collera, Anika Jolie King, Christina Rai Padilla, Arra Katrina Villaruel

Humor has long served as more than mere entertainment. It is a powerful tool for engagement and reflection. This study examines how audiences in Cebu City perceive the use of humor in political participation, particularly in online and offline protests. It investigates recurring humor themes, the perceptions of audiences on the topic, and the potential of the use of humor in forwarding policies. Drawing from David Hector Monro’s humor classifications, John C. Meyer’s humor functions, the Major Theories of Humor, and Sheldon Gen & Amy Wright’s policy advocacy framework, the research employs expert-driven content analyses and one-on-one interviews to provide an in- depth exploration of this phenomenon. The findings highlight humor’s ability to transform critical political messages into creative narratives. It captures attention, fosters dialogue, and encourages civic participation by making advocacy more engaging. However, while humor effectively raises awareness and inspires discourse, its direct impact on policy making is less evident. Despite the absence of concrete policy outcomes, humor still serves as a catalyst for public mobilization and cultural shifts. Even more so, humor in protests offer significant potential to influence enhanced democratic engagement over time.